A Simple Woman's Daybook-June 9

Simplewomandaybooksmall_2~ Do stop by Peggy's for all the links entered in this week's Simple Woman's Daybook ~

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Outside My Window ... a heavy fog is lifting and revealing the promise of another very hot day.
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I am thinking ...that a year of happy dance memories, the precious gift of good friendships for my girls, and the look on Katie's face as she curtsied before the crowd make the endless driving, the outrageous expense, and the exasperating-everything-else all worth it .
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I am thankful for ... a much quieter week after the extreme stress and busy-ness of last week. I am thankful for some unplanned days ahead during which I will rest and restore order to my household. I'm also very thankful that Christine was able to solve my Internet Explorer problems. You might have to clear your web history, but this blog 's totally visible in IE now.  
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From the kitchen ... I can't bring myself to go down there just yet this morning. Nor can I think about food for the day.
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I am wearing ... khaki capris with fun floral embroidery and one of Mike's short sleeved white shirts. I never did get to go maternity shopping last week.
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I am creating ...a nature journal and a Catholic Mosaic notebook with Gracie this summer. This might be the last summer she's with us and I want to re-read all the Catholic Mosaic books with her before we send her off.
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I am going ...to begin to institute the summer routine today: gardening in the very early morning, some studies after breakfast, lunch, quiet time and then the pool.
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I am reading ... Splendor in the Ordinary: Your Home as a Holy Place by Thomas Howard. I'm trying to become inspired and energized to get back to intentional, diligent homemaking in order to maximize my efforts in the second trimester. I dearly want to bring this baby home to a holy place.
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I am hoping ...to get my laundry caught up and return to the peace of laundry well-done .
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I am hearing ... the slosh and swish of the washing machine.
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Around the house ... we are going to focus on routines and habits.

One of my favorite things ...working with Marisa and Colleen on Serendipity. We're cranking through the Alphabet Path rather quickly right now. Our motivation? We've promised each other that we can plan next year just as soon as we finish. Nothing like three planning geeks and creative synergy!

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:I am looking forward to Friday and Saturday this week. The IHM conference is a stone's throw from my house. The speakers list is very impressive and this year's vendors truly promise me one-stop shopping. I doubt I'll spend all that much time there, though. I prefer to buy the talks on audio and listen when I'm home and can be active cleaning or something. My ultimate retreat before the school year starts is to have Mike take the kids for the day while I putter in the house and listen to conferences on MP3. But I'm looking forward to meeting several friends for lunch (and maybe dinner too)  and a little carefully planned shopping. I'm most looking forward to spending a big chunk of time with some of my very favorite little boys while their mama goes to the conference.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

June_2008_061_4

Flowers for the ballerinas